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The footage, reported by TMZ, was shared by a person who said it was recorded on July 4 at 11:17 a.m., before the island became crowded for the holiday. At the end of the clip, a boat bearing the name “Mac Daddy” can be seen.
The vessel appears similar to the boat featured in previously released footage obtained by TMZ, which metadata indicated was recorded later that afternoon at 2:23 p.m. That earlier video has drawn widespread attention because it appears to show a person wearing swim trunks matching the color of those Wells was last photographed wearing before he disappeared.
Neither video has been independently verified by law enforcement, and officials have not publicly confirmed that the boat shown in either recording is the same vessel connected to Wells’ disappearance.
The newly surfaced footage also appears to show a different group of adults aboard the boat than those seen in the later video, though it remains unclear who was on board or whether the difference has any significance.
The video surfaced as investigators continue working to reconstruct Wells’ final known movements on Horn Island.
Wells disappeared on July 4 after traveling to the Mississippi barrier island with a group of friends. Authorities have said his friends returned to the mainland without him after reporting mechanical problems with their boat. His body was recovered two days later near the island’s northwestern shoreline.
The case remains under investigation.
Last week, officials confirmed the Mississippi State Medical Examiner’s Office had completed Wells’ official autopsy. However, the findings have not been released publicly and will instead be presented to a Jackson County grand jury along with other evidence gathered during the investigation.
Meanwhile, the Wells family’s independent investigation continues. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump has said his legal team is working with forensic audio engineers to analyze the July 4 Sea Tow call, oceanic engineering experts to examine how Wells’ body was found, and investigators reviewing additional evidence as they continue searching for answers.
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